ABOUT PHILANA'S BOOKS
Though Philana has worked as a freelance and staff journalist and has co-authored/ghost-written many books with others, this page is dedicated to her solo titles so that readers may discover the inspiration behind each of them.
INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION BEHIND SELECT WORKS
This page is currently under construction in preparation for upcoming book releases.
In the meantime, feel free to read some of the reviews and credentials about Philana's writing history by scrolling down over to the side on the right.
This Page Undder Construction
WRITING EDUCATION
Bowling Green State University
BFA Creative Writing & Theater
Stonybrook Southampton
MFA Creative Writing & Literature
*Thesis pending
UCLA (Screenwriting and TV Writing)
Mediabistro
YA Writing, Fashion Writing
PUBLISHERS
Random House (Ballantine/One World)
HarperCollins (Amistad)
HaperCollins Childrens
Penguin (Viking Juvinile)
P. Marie INK
TITLES
2010 - present
Blame It on Eve
In the Paint
Little Divas
Glitz
Models Undercover
Book 1: Beauty Secrets
Dance Instead
2010 - present
AS SEEN IN OR AT:
Ebony Magazine
Today’s Black Woman
Sister 2 Sister
Black Beat
Essence
Black Issues Book Review
Toledo Blade
Toledo Free Press
American Library Association
“Recommended reading” List
Cincinnatti Public Libary
"Must Read"
Black Expressions Book Club
-Blame It on Eve
-Little Divas
"Amigal's" Retreat at Mariah Carey's
"Camp Mariah"
St. Ursula Academy "Young Alumna of The Year" (2003)
Miami Book Fair International
Baltimore Book Festival
Southern Kentucky Book Festival
SCBWI, Los Angeles Annual Conference
Indiana Black Expo
Bowling Green State University
YA READ (NYC and Los Angeles)
Amelia Island Writer's Retreat
Nominee (Little Divas) for “Children’s
Book of the Year” by African-
American Literary Awards Show
Selected by New York Amsterdam News
as “Editor’s Pick for Young
Readers”
Honored by The Brown Bookshelf’s
“28 Days Later” literary
campaign, a nationwide,
nominee based, initiative
designed to push awareness of
the myriad of African-American
voices writing for young readers.
CRITICS REVIEWS
"An easy title to recommend."
-School Library Journal
"There's enough wish fulfillment here to delight starry-eyed music lovers and enough cautionary realism to reassure a worried Gramma."
-Kirkus
"Readers who want to know what‘s behind the glitz of the hip-hop fantasy world will identify with Ann Michelle in both her excitement and her disillusion."
-Bulletin of the Center for Children‘s Books
"Hip Hop fans will love Glitz. Actually this is a great choice for all music fans."
-The Happy Nappy Bookseller
"Girls who dream of stardom will find this sometimes glamorous, sometimes grim musical journey just to their liking."
-Voya
"A cautionary tale of an innocent teen lost in the world of hip-hop."
-Booklist
"With characters that leap off the page and a story that‘s full of heart, Glitz will take you on an unforgettable adventure..."
-Cheryl Renee Herbsman, author of Breathing
"Glitz takes readers on a wild ride reminding them that, all that glitters isn't gold, but the journey to finding our real selves is often worth it."
-Paula Chase Hyman, author of So Not the Drama.
“In the tradition of Judy Blume and Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Boles’ first novel for youth is a joyful, honest story of girls’ friendship, family and love.”
~ALA Booklist"
"Little Divas sends a positive, empowering message to young girls about everything from how todeal with divorced parents to how to negotiate the rules of friendship."
-Jane Heller, national bestselling author of Sis Boom Bah and An Ex to Grind“
Little Divas was a joy to read!”
~Patty Gary-Cox, Co-Executive Producer of “That’s So Raven”
"The strength lies in the Boles' preteen heroines, who are authentically conveyed."
-Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books
"Little Divas is a must-read novel!"~ -Cincinnati/Hamilton County Public Library
"In Little Divas, by Philana Marie Boles, comes a positive and friendly reading experience..."
-Ebony Magazine
"Little Divas is perfect for your preteen girls."
-Black Expressions Book Club
"Boles does an outstanding job at keeping this book at an age appropriate level, yet still making it interesting enough for older readers as well."
- Black Butterfly Review
Reader Reviews from HarperCollin’s FirstLook, a program to preview books for those who make a difference – the readers! Here are some of the things that readers had to say about Little Divas by Philana Marie Boles…
"This novel is all about relationships, roller-coaster emotions, and a girl who is resisting growing up. A very well-written, yet compact, book dealing with lots of common issues girls of all races across our country face."
-Judy (Owensboro, KY)
"Little Divas was such a fun book to indulge in! I always enjoy books about real-life situations because I can relate to them so well, and this one is no exception. If you're looking for an enjoyable, fast-paced read, this is the book for you!"
-Katelyn (Mercer, PA)
"Little Divas was a great book. It showed how friends do make a difference, even if they are family. It also shows how important it is to not make judgments on anyone on how they look. This book is great for all those about to turn 13!"
-Meghan (Oak Lawn, IL)
"Little Divas by Philana Marie Boles is one of the cutest books I‘ve ever read! If you‘re a younger reader, you can read it and wonder about what will happen when you‘re older. Older readers can look back and laugh at how they were when they were in 7th grade and learning the facts of life. This book was really great, for Philana Marie Boles‘ first YA novel she did a great job—I can‘t wait to see what she thinks up next!"
-Cristina (Boston, MA)
"Little Divas is about twelve-year-old Cassidy Carter who in moves in with her dad after her mom goes to Africa to 'discover herself.' Cassidy finds herself facing issues that are brought with the preteen years. Boys, a new school, and sex. Along with her cousin Rikki and her new friend Golden, Cassidy finds out what it is to be a true diva. Ms. Boles creates a down-to-earth story that is perfect for any preteen girl."
-Lillian (Evansville, IN)
"When summer roles around for these three little divas the summer is anything but relaxing. This book by Ms. Boles is sure to keep you hooked up to the very last page! Especially when things turn for the worse when they are caught at a swimming party by their aunt! Will the girls still be together? What's with the boys? HER DAD IS DATING? These are just a few questions that will be buzzing through your mind when you read this excellently written piece of work."
-Alicia (St.Louis, MO)
CRITIC REVIEWS FOR ADULT WORK:
"Artfully told... the story delicately tiptoes through the territory of the heart."
-Black Issues Book Review
"With its many twists and turns, it is impossible to predict the outcome of Boles' often humorous novel."
-Romantic Times
"A nicely diverting and even thought-provoking read."
-Booklist
"I never once got bored with this extraordinary novel from a very promising author."
-The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers